Malnourished get free care

YOGYAKARTA: Local officials announced on Wednesday malnourished children in Yogyakarta would receive free hospital treatment.

The Yogyakarta administration said the decision came into effect on Wednesday and would continue until malnutrition was eliminated in the province.

"Free medical care will continue indefinitely. As long as there are malnourished children, the free treatment will continue," Yogyakarta Health Office head Bondan Agus Suryanto said after meeting with Governor Hamengkubuwono X.

Bondan said the local administration would reimburse all hospitals for treatment given to malnourished children.

"We ask patients to report any hospital that refuses to provide free treatment, and we will take firm action against the hospital," he said.

Bondan said the local administration would also provide nutritional supplements for children to fight malnutrition in Yogyakarta. --JP